Controlled advancement lasing device

• US 6,135,996 A
• Filed: 04/17/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Kolesa, Michael S., Thompson, Barton C., Shikhman, Oleg, Pacala, Thomas J., Correia, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YARNELL, BRYAN KEITH
• Application Number:
  US09/062,527
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 606/2, 606/7, 606/10, 606/13-16, 607/88-89, 607/92, 607/93
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation

Abstract

A controlled advancement laser ablation device is provided for precise ablation of body matter. The laser ablation device includes a handle portion having proximal and distal openings and a fiber advancing device having a stationary member and a movable member. The movable member is movable towards and away from the stationary member. A fiber casing is included having proximal and distal ends. The distal end is secured to the proximal end of the handle portion and the proximal end is secured to the stationary member. At least one optical fiber is included having proximal and distal ends. The distal end is extendible through the handle portion and a portion of the fiber, defined between the proximal and distal ends, is secured to the movable member. A laser energy generator is optically connected to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The handle portion includes a self-biasing advancing mechanism. The self-biasing advancing mechanism includes a guide member positioned within at least a portion of a channel extending within the handle portion. At least one biasing member is operatively connected to the guide member to guide the guide member proximally as a proximal force is applied to the distal end of the optical fiber and to guide the guide member distally when laser energy is transmitted to the optical fiber by the laser energy generator. Controlled advancement mechanisms include constant and/or variable rate springs, motors, and other mechanisms which can be coordinated with the laser energy generator to advance the laser energy transmission mechanism as the targeted substance is ablated. The device is suitable for use in transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and angioplasty procedures.

Claims

1. A laser ablation device comprising:

a handle portion having proximal and distal openings;

a fiber advancing device having a stationary member and a movable member, the movable member being movable towards and away from the stationary member;

a fiber casing having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being secured to a proximal end of the handle portion and the proximal end being secured to the stationary member of the fiber advancing device;

at least one optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being extendible through the handle portion and a portion of the fiber defined between the proximal and distal ends being secured to the movable member of the fiber advancing device; and

a laser energy generator optically connected to proximal end of the at least one optical fiber;

said handle portion including a self-biasing advancing mechanism comprising;

a guide member positioned within at least a portion of a channel extending within said handle portion; and

at least one biasing member operatively connected to the guide member to guide the guide member proximally as a proximal force is applied to the distal end of said at least one optical fiber and to guide the guide member distally when laser energy is transmitted to the at least one optical fiber by the laser energy generator.

2. The laser ablation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one biasing member includes a spring.

3. The laser ablation device according to claim 2, wherein the spring is a constant force spring.

4. The laser ablation device according to claim 1, wherein said handle portion further comprises a second biasing member at a proximal end of an inner housing disposed within said handle portion, the second biasing member permitting relative movement between the handle portion and the inner housing.

5. The laser ablation device according to claim 1, wherein the laser energy generator is designed to pulse at a predetermined frequency and at a predetermined energy level and the fiber advancing device simultaneously advances the at least one optical fiber at a predetermined, constant rate to ablate body tissue.

6. The laser ablation device according to claim 1, further comprising a compensation assembly operably connected to the handle portion.

7. The laser ablation device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member includes an elongated rib on an outer periphery which is received in a slot formed along said channel to prevent the guide member from rotating and becoming disengaged from the at least one biasing member.